Competitor Group Acquires The Nation’s Triathlon

Competitor Group, owner of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series and Land Rover TriRock Triathlon Series, announced today the acquisition of the Nation’s Triathlon. The event, which features one of the largest fields of any triathlon in the country, is set to take place on Sunday, Sept. 9 and will be the flagship triathlon in the company’s portfolio. Washington Sports & Event Management will continue to be a part of the race, thanks to an established multi-year partnership. The event will become a part of the Land Rover TriRock Triathlon Series starting in 2013.

See the complete press release below:

Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI), the leading media and event resource in the active lifestyle industry, today announced the acquisition of the Nation’s Triathlon and a multi-year partnership with Washington Sports & Event Management, LLC (WSEM).

One of the largest triathlons in the United States, the Nation’s Triathlon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is known as the premier multisport event in the mid-Atlantic region, and the only triathlon in the country dedicated to building awareness and raising money for the treatment of leukemia and blood-related cancers. The 2012 race is set for Sunday, September 9.

“We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of the Nation’s Triathlon and our partnership with WSEM,” said Scott Dickey, President of CGI and advisory board member of Triathlon America, an industry organization dedicated to promoting the sport and the business of triathlon. “The Nation’s Triathlon represents another flagship event that CGI will operate in our nation’s capital and reaffirms our position as a leader at the forefront of the growth and popularity of the sport of triathlon. Combined with our recent acquisition of the Austin Triathlon, the Land Rover TriRock Triathlon Series will become one of the world’s largest and most prestigious triathlon series in 2013 and beyond.”

WSEM and CGI have formed a multi-year partnership in which WSEM will continue to assist with the event’s operations and local governmental affairs. As part of the agreement, WSEM, which also organizes The Washington DC Triathlon and the ACHIEVE Kids Tri, Inc. summer camp series, will leverage CGI’s award winning media assets including Triathlete, Inside Triathlon and Triathlete.com, to promote its other events and initiatives.

“Washington D.C. is the ultimate venue for a triathlon. There is no other race like the Nation’s Triathlon, with a very unique combination of resources that you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the country,” said Charles Brodsky, CEO of WSEM. “It has been a true pleasure to watch the growth of the event over the past six years and we are delighted to work with Competitor Group, not only to enhance Nation’s Tri but also in partnering with their media assets to promote the growing list of endurance events in our portfolio.”

The Nation’s Triathlon has grown from a competition with less than 500 finishers in 2006 to being recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest International distance triathlon event in the nation. The race has sold-out for the past 4 years and has attracted participation from competitors from around the world. The event features a spectacular course that winds through Washington D.C.’s monument corridor adjacent to our nation’s best known memorials and historical landmarks.

“The Nation’s Triathlon is a sensational event enjoyed each year by our Team In Training participants,” said Nancy Klein, Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, “We look forward to continuing and expanding our partnership with the Competitor Group.”

With the announcement, CGI now owns two of the largest endurance events in the Washington D.C. market, home to an abundant number of affluent participants in the endurance sector. The inaugural SunTrust Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon & CareFirst Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, March 17 and has sold out with 24,000 runners. It is the only marathon run entirely within the District of Columbia.

The Washington D.C. acquisition follows CGI’s recent announcement that the Austin Triathlon will join the Land Rover TriRock Triathlon Series in 2012, expanding to the series of entertainment themed triathlons to six markets in 2012. The Nation’s Triathlon is scheduled to join the series in 2013.

Created by the organizers of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, the unique format features a rocking competition, complete with live bands along the swim, bike and run courses, followed by a post-race party and concert. The series expanded to four markets in 2011, adding events in Annapolis, Seattle and New York. With 2,000 entrants, TriRock San Diego became the largest triathlon in the City of San Diego in its second year.

Each event features a consumer expo prior to and during the event, with unique divisions, including Military, Athena & Clydesdale and a Beach Cruiser competition in San Diego. All participants will receive a finisher’s medal, technical t-shirt, red carpet finish, post-race breakfast and access to the finish line concert and beer garden. Participants just testing the waters of the triathlon experience can also sign up as a 3-person relay team, taking on either the swim, bike or run component.

For more information about the Land Rover TriRock Triathlon Series, visit TriRockSeries.com.